I was there too
Exactly a month ago, I ventured out with Blarney Photography Club to see Wonderlights at Fota House. The grounds were transformed into something straight out of a cyberpunk fairy tale. This particular shot caught my eye – a grove of trees bathed in blues and magentas, with disco balls dangling from gnarled branches like some sort of woodland rave.
The fog machines were working overtime, creating this ethereal atmosphere that had me half expecting to see digital faeries emerge from behind the trunks. It’s amazing what a few well-placed lights can do to transform these old trees into something so otherworldly. I shot this at ISO 100 for a lengthy eight second exposure with my tripod, and I was thrilled with how it came out.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 8s |
There’s never a bus when you want one, and suddenly four come along when you least expect it. A very busy Bridge Street in Cork last week with commuters on the way home.
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 169mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/8s |
The blurred Christmas lights along St. Patrick Street and Cook Street transform into a dreamy tapestry of golden and multicoloured bokeh, creating a magical backdrop above a person wearing a studded black beanie and glasses near Opera Lane.
Nollaig shona duit! Hope you had a nice day today if you celebrate!
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 240mm |
| ISO | 8000 |
| Shutter speed | 1/250s |
Nollaigh Shona Dhaoibh go léir! Now that no more shopping is possible, maybe we can return to normality. Of course, in cold and dreary January, we might look back with nostalgic eyes at the bright lights, decorations, and all the stress excitement.
| Aperture | ƒ/18 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 208mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 5s |
Two fabulous Mockie Ah! queens posed for me in the middle of the street yesterday when I asked if I could take their photo. The cold weather was freezing, but they put on a smile and stopped for a moment to chat, and I was very grateful for the photo. Their vibrant presence transformed an ordinary winter’s day into something extraordinary.
These glamorous performers graced The Pav‘s stage last night, with another appearance scheduled for New Year’s Eve, promising to end 2024 with the perfect blend of sparkle and spectacle.
| Aperture | ƒ/11 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 320 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
The tower of St. Anne’s Church, or Shandon Bells, towers over the surrounding buildings and is visible from the big wheel on Grand Parade.
Behind it is the North Cathedral and the distinctive roof of the Firkin Crane is off to the left. In the foreground is the brand-new Capitol building.
First time on the big wheel. Nice view from up top. Thanks Henry!
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 240mm |
| ISO | 2500 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
The big wheel on Grand Parade in Cork spins and makes a lovely shape when captured by a long exposure shot. Also missing from this are a few friends who thankfully kept walking back and forth so they wouldn’t be captured in the image!
| Aperture | ƒ/6.3 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 33mm |
| ISO | 250 |
| Shutter speed | 8s |
A long exposure photo of the Yeni Camii in Istanbul, with the entrance to a small shopping mall in the foreground. Steps lead down, under a busy road, and vendors have set up shops down there selling all sorts of goods.
The Yeni Camii is also known as the “New Mosque”, even though it was completed between 1660 and 1665. It was originally named the Valide Sultan Mosque.
I wonder if that’s a drone flying overhead, over the mosque? I certainly didn’t see it while I was taking this photo.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/3s |
St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork can be seen in the background behind the big wheel on The Grand Parade, in Cork, tonight. I didn’t expect any sunset because there would be so much low cloud, but there was a tiny spec of colour on the horizon. At times, the underside of the cloud was faintly lit up in pink by the setting sun.
Thanks Finbarr for reporting from the car park that there was some light. I had written it off entirely, so it was nice to see!
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7RM5 |
| Focal length | 66mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 4s |
